A new guest artistic director for the Lichfield Festival has confirmed.
Damian Thantrey will take over the role for the 2018 festival while Sonia Stevenson takes her maternity leave.
Born in Burton-on-Trent, Damian trained first as a lawyer before becoming a professional singer appearing on stages around the world. He has since moved into producing and is no stranger to festival audiences having been behind The Magic Flute in 2015 and Cosi fan tutte last year.
“I’m delighted to be appointed guest artistic director and am very much looking forward to planning next year’s festival,” he said.
“Being involved in a small way over the last three years has shown me the huge commitment, hard work and support that goes on behind the scenes and enables the Lichfield Festival to thrive. I will endeavour to match that with my own efforts for 2018.”
Damian will also be part of the this year’s event as he produced a celebration of Broadway legend Richard Rodgers with a cast of West End soloists and musicians from Chethams Music School.
The 2017 Lichfield Festival runs from July 7 to 15 and will feature the likes of The Halle Orchestra, percussionist Evelyn Glennie, comedian Rich Hall and gospel ensemble Black Voices. Early bird tickets for some events will go on sale on March 6 at www.lichfieldfestival.org with the full programme open for booking from late March.
